Today the capital city of Canada’s Quebec province turns 400 years old. This weekend will see the peak of a months-long celebration that began in January and will continue into October. It’s funny, you’ll rarely read a travel article about Quebec City that doesn’t describe it as “the most European city in North America” (or, at least, of having a European sensibility, or being European-flavored), thanks to its heritage buildings, cobblestoned streets and devotion to fine food and wine. But to me, as a Canadian, it’s always been the most Canadian of cities. 

Quebec, after all, is where our peculiar experiment in national bilingualism—arguably our most well-known characteristic, besides a love of hockey—began. Founded on Iroquois land, its walls were originally built by the French to keep out the British—and then fortified by the victorious British to ward off those darn Yankees. All the elements of Canadian-ness, it seems to me, are wrapped up inside those walls.

All that being said, I can see why so many writers opt for the European comparison. Part of the allure of Europe, after all, is the sense of history that pervades its city streets, and Quebec City is one of the few places in North America with that same powerful ambience. Walking Quebec’s—yes, cobblestoned—streets, you can really feel all 400 years.

CBC.ca has a collection of archived TV and radio clips that showcase Quebec City and its history.

Photo by freezelight via Flickr (Creative Commons)